President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday offered prayers at the Maa Kandhuni Devi Temple and Nilkantheshwar Shiv Temple at Taptapani in Odisha’s Ganjam district.
Accompanied by Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the President reached Taptapani and offered prayers at the Maa Kandhuni Devi temple, one of South Odisha’s most sacred tribal shrines, where the local Kandha community worships the Goddess residing above the natural hot spring.
Murmu arrived in Berhampur aboard a special train from Bhubaneswar before traveling over 55 km by road under heavy security to reach the scenic location of Taptapani.
Upon her arrival, she spent time at the state-run Panthanivas guest house, took a dip in the natural hot sulphur spring, had lunch, and subsequently visited the shrine.
“It is an extraordinary privilege for us to welcome the President. She performed a ritual as per the local tradition,” said Redika Jani, secretary, Taptapani temple development committee.
For security reasons, public entry to the shrine was temporarily restricted during the presidential visit, local police said.
Taptapani attracts visitors from across the region who flock to bathe in its thermal sulphur waters – particularly during winter – and offer prayers to Maa Kandhuni Devi and Lord Nilakantheswar.
Outside the temple, hundreds of local tribal residents gathered to catch a glimpse of the President, who spent time interacting with children and distributing chocolates. She later departed for the Army AD College at Golabandh for an overnight stay before her scheduled departure from Berhampur on Wednesday via the special train.
Earlier in the day, President Murmu undertook a 170-km journey from Bhubaneswar to Berhampur in the “President Special” train, an ultra-luxury private rail car featuring air-conditioned bedrooms, a living-cum-dining room, and a kitchen, officials said. It took around a little over two hours to cover the distance.
“The President’s train journey has been arranged keeping in view the IMD forecast of rains,” he said, adding that the train with a special saloon coach was escorted by two trains, one in the front and another in the rear, and no other train was allowed on the tracks during the President’s journey.
High-security protocols were enforced across both Bhubaneswar and Berhampur railway stations, utilizing bomb disposal squads, sniffer dogs, and intensive baggage screening.
Alongside Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, commandos from central agencies accompanied the President on board for her three-day visit to the state, which began on Monday.
Murmu arrived in Odisha on Monday on a three-day visit to the state.
Ganjam Collector V Keerthi Vasan said the venues of the President’s visit in the district have been declared “no-flying” zones.
